Sports practice apparatus

ABSTRACT

A sports practice apparatus  10  usable for instance when practising boxing or other martial arts or combat sports. The apparatus comprises a wheeled base  12,  and a punch bag element  22  mounted on a bar  16  upstanding from the base  12.  A handle arrangement  30  is mounted on the punch bag element  22  by straps. The arrangement  30  provides a pair of handles  36  which can be held for instance by a coach and used to move the apparatus around during training.

This invention concerns sports practice apparatus, and particularly butnot exclusively apparatus for use in practising boxing or other martialarts or combat sports.

Punch bags have been widely used for many years in practicing boxing andother martial arts and combat sports. These have proved useful but theydo not recreate the conditions which may be encountered for instance inan actual boxing match. Accordingly they are not particularly useful forpracticing footwork and other manoeuvres.

Another way of practising boxing is to use a trainer who wears pads ontheir hands, which pads a boxer tries to punch. This can be physicallywearing and potentially damaging for the trainer, particularly if theyare working with a number of boxers. Again whilst proving useful, thistechnique only permits a boxer to aim at the particular position of thepads rather than other locations on an opponent's body, which may bemore appropriate targets. Also with such training the opponent tends tobe relatively defensive rather than offensive, in which instance theboxer may be forced to retreat.

According to the present invention there is provided sports practiceapparatus, the apparatus comprising a ground engageable base which isfreely movable across the ground, and a body supported on the base, thebody being able to receive impacts from a person practising sport.

A handle or handles may be provided on the apparatus to enable movementthereof. The or each handle may be provided on the body. A spaced pairof handles may be provided, which handles may extend substantiallyvertically in use.

In one embodiment a handle arrangement may be provided which can bemounted to extend around the body, with the arrangement comprising oneor more handles extending from a mounting configuration, whichconfiguration may comprise a spaced pair of straps extendible around thebody.

In a further embodiment a handle arrangement is provided which ismounted on the base to be upstanding therefrom. The handle arrangementmay comprise an upright member extending from the base, with a handlepart extending from the upright member.

The handle arrangement may be selectively removable from the base.

The handle part may be at least generally arcuate and may extendsubstantially coaxially relative to the body, and spaced therefrom.

Alternatively the handle part may extend substantially perpendicularlyto the upright member.

The body may be substantially cylindrical. The body may be in the formof a punch bag.

A support arrangement may extend from the base, and may mount the body.The support arrangement may be of selectively adjustable length toprovide the body at a required height.

The support arrangement may include a first elongate member extendingupwardly from the base. The body may slidably fit over the firstelongate member.

In one configuration a second elongate member may be provided extendingthrough a part of the body, and the first and second elongate membersmay be telescopically interconnected to provide height adjustment of thebody. Engagement means may be provided engageable with the first andsecond elongate members to retain the body at a required height.

The first elongate member may be resiliently mounted relative to thebase.

In one arrangement the first elongate member is mounted to a mountingmember, which mounting member is resiliently connected to the base. Themounting member may be in the form of a plate which in a relaxedcondition extends substantially parallel to the base.

One or more resilient members, which may be in the form of springs, mayextend between the mounting member and the base.

The mounting member may be located beneath the base, with the firstelongate member extending through an opening in the base.

An abutment arrangement may be provided to limit relative movementbetween the first elongate member and the base. The abutment arrangementmay comprise a plurality of stop members connected to the base, whichare engageable with projecting members connected to the first elongatemember at limits of movement of the first elongate member.

Stop members and corresponding projecting members may be provided tolimit lateral movement of the first elongate member. A stop member maybe provided on the handle arrangement with a corresponding projectingmember, to limit movement of the first elongate member towards thehandle arrangement.

In a further arrangement the first elongate member is connected to thebase by a flexible linkage.

The flexible linkage may permit the first elongate member to pivotrelative to the base, and the flexible linkage may permit the firstelongate member to pivot about more than one axis.

The flexible linkage may include a universal joint, and may include apair of universal joints interconnected in series.

A force absorbing arrangement may be provided between the body and thebase.

The force absorbing arrangement may include a block of resilientmaterial mounted on the base. The resilient material may be a foamedplastics material.

A plate member may be provided on the underside of the body which isengageable with the block of resilient material.

A rigid body, which may be made of metal, may be provided in a centralpart of the block of resilient material. The flexible linkage may extendthrough an opening in the rigid body. The flexible linkage may extendthrough an opening in the block of resilient material located beneaththe rigid body.

The base may include a recess which locates the block of resilientmaterial.

The base may include a plurality of ground engaging members which permitmovement of the base in any direction. The ground engaging members maybe in the form of ball castors.

The base may be substantially octagonal in plan view. The base mayinclude eight ground engaging members, which may be equispaced aroundthe base.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way ofexample only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a first sports practice apparatusaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of the apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic side view of part of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic sectional side view of part of the apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view from beneath of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side view of a second sports apparatusaccording to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic rear view of the apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic plan view of a part of the apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic side view of a lower part of the apparatus ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic front view of the lower part of the apparatusof FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic side view of a third sports apparatusaccording to the invention;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic end view of the apparatus of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic partially exploded cross sectional side viewof the apparatus of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic side view of part of the apparatus of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic view from beneath of part of the apparatus ofFIG. 12; and

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic side view of part of the apparatus of FIG. 12.

FIGS. 1 to 5 of the drawings show a first sports practice apparatus 10which can be used when practising boxing or other martial arts or combatsports. The apparatus 10 comprises a base 12 which is of circularconfiguration and has six spaced ball castors 14 on the undersidethereof to permit movement of the base 12 in any direction. A firstelongate member in the form of a bar 16 is upstanding from the centre ofthe base 12 and has three through openings 18 therein spaced from eachother towards the lower end of the bar 16.

A body part 20 is mounted on the bar 16. The body part 20 comprises acylindrical punch bag element 22 with a substantially vertical axis. Thepunch bag element 22 is of conventional construction for a punch bag,and the construction thereof will not therefore be described in detail.The body part 20 has a tube 24 which extends from below the element 22to within the element 22 close to the top thereof. An annular support 26is provided around the tube 24 at the lower end of the element 22, andthe tube 24 extends for a short distance below the support 26. A throughopening 28 is provided through the walls of the tube 24 towards thelower end thereof.

The tube 24 is of a size to telescopically receive the bar 16, therebymounting the element 22 on the base 12. A pin or other element mayextend through the opening 28 and a one of the openings 18 to providethe element 22 at a required height.

A handle arrangement 30 is provided which comprises upper and lowerspaced straps 32 which can be mounted around the element 22 as shown in

FIG. 1. The straps 32 are each mounted to a respective arcuate metalstrip 34 of a size to fit around the element 22. A pair of verticalhandles 36 extend between the strips 34, towards respective ends of thestrips 34. The handles 36 each comprise upper and lower stubs 40 tospace a main vertically extending part 42 away from the base 12. Thestraps 32 include a buckle 44 at one end, and lengths of fleece and hookfasteners such as Velcro TM to retain the straps 32 in position.

In use, the element 22 can be set at a required height by using arequired one of the openings 18. A trainer or other person can thendirect the apparatus 10 by holding the two handles 36. This means thatthe apparatus 10 can adopt an offensive or defensive stance, and can forinstance move around a boxing ring to mimic the actions of a potentialopponent. The configuration of the apparatus 10 means that a trainercould for instance look either side of the element 22 to watch a boxer'smovements. Using a relatively large element 22 in contrast to a trainerwearing pads, means that a user can hit an appropriate part of theelement 22, rather than just where a trainer has positioned the pads.

FIGS. 6 to 11 of the drawings show a second sports practice apparatus110 which again can be used when practising boxing or other martial artsor combat sports. The apparatus 110 comprises a base 112 which in thisinstance is of generally square configuration with protruding corners113. Ball castors 114 are provided on the underside of the base 112 toagain permit movement thereof in any direction.

A first elongate member in the form of a bar 116 is upstanding from thebase 112 towards the front thereof and is mounted thereto by a mountingarrangement 118 which will be hereinafter described. The mountingarrangement permits relative movement between the bar 116 and base 112,and some of the figures illustrate this possible relative movement. Abody part 120 in the form of a cylindrical punch bag element 122 ismounted on the bar 116.

A handle arrangement 130 is provided which includes an upstanding member132 extending from the base 112 towards the rear thereof, and isinclined gently rearwardly. Two elongate bracing members 134 extend fromthe upstanding member 132 a little over half way therealong from thebase 112, with each bracing member 134 extending to the base 112 at arespective rear corner 113.

A handle part 136 is provided at the upper end of the upstanding member132. The handle part comprises upper and lower arcuate bars 138 whichare generally coaxial with the punch bag element 122, and are inclinedgently downwardly in a forwards direction. The arcuate bars 138 areinterconnected by connecting bars 140 at each ends, and also two furtherconnecting bars 140 equispaced from each other and from the ends. Thehandle part 136 is mounted to the top of the upstanding member 132 bytwo linking bars 142.

The mounting arrangement 118 includes an opening 144 through the base112, and through which the bar 116 extends. The lower end of the bar 116which is beneath the base 112 connects to a mounting plate 146 which isconnected to the underside of the base 112 by four springs 148 which areequispaced around the opening 144.

An abutment arrangement 150 is provided to limit the amount of relativemovement between the bar 116 and the base 112. The abutment arrangement150 comprises a pair of base stop members 152 mounted on the base spacedfrom and either side of the opening 144. The base stop members 152 arein the form of lengths of L-shaped bars in plan view extending from thebase 112.

A pair of base projecting members 154 are provided and comprise a pairof short arms 156 extending diametrically opposite each other from thebar 116 towards the lower end thereof, with profiled resilient materialblocks 158 on their distal ends which are engageable against the basestop members 152.

A handle stop member 160 is provided in the form of a short bar 162extending from a lower part of the upstanding member 132 and inclinedgenerally upwardly therefrom, with a block 164 of resilient material onthe distal end thereof, against which block 164 the bar 116 can engagewhen moved to its greatest rearward extent.

There is thus described apparatus 110 which provides the advantages ofthe apparatus 10, and a number of other potential advantages. Forinstance the mounting arrangement will tend to absorb some of the impactforces received on the punch bag element during use, helping to preventfor instance rocking of the base. The abutment arrangement prevents thepunch bag element from moving too much relative to the base which couldfor instance impact on a trainer operating the apparatus.

The handle arrangement permits a trainer or other person to readilymaneouvre the apparatus, but to not receive any of the impacts receivedby the punch bag element.

FIGS. 12 to 17 of the drawings show a third sports practice apparatus210 again usable when practising boxing or other martial arts or combatsports. The apparatus 210 comprises a base 212 and a cylindrical punchbag element 214. A first elongate member in the form of a bar 216 isprovided extending upwardly from the base 212, and the punch bag elementis a sliding fit over the bar 216. The punch bag element 224 extends forsubstantially the whole height of the apparatus 210 from the base 212.

A handle arrangement 218 is provided which extends upwardly from thebase 212 adjacent to the punch bag element 214, and can be selectivelyremoved from the base 212 for instance if it is required to use theapparatus 210 without a trainer. The handle arrangement 218 comprises anupwardly extending bar 220 with a handle part 222 mounted on the upperend thereof. The handle part 222 comprises an outer oval part 224 and aninner circular part 226, providing different locations where a user suchas a trainer may hold or guide the apparatus 210.

The base 212 is substantially octagonal in plan view and has eightcastors 228 equispaced around the edge of the base 212. FIG. 16 showsthe mounting locations for each of the castors 228 at the apices of theoctagonal shape, but the castors 228 have been omitted from FIG. 16 forclarity. The base 212 comprises an outer plate 230 which mounts thecastors 228 and a coaxial central downwardly extending octagonal recess232 with inwardly tapering sidewalls 234.

A flexible linkage 236 is provided extending upwardly from the centre ofthe recess 232. The linkage 236 comprises a lower universal joint 238with a first housing 244 with a pin 242 extending thereacross whichpivotally mounts an interconnecting member 240 which is pivotallyconnected to a second housing 246 by a pin 248, with the pins 242, 248extending substantially perpendicularly to each other. A similar upperuniversal joint 250 is provided mounted to the top end of the loweruniversal joint 238.

Extending upwardly from the upper universal joint 250 is a threaded rod252 which can threadedly locate coaxially in the bar 216. A trapped nut254 is provided in the lower end of the bar 216 which threadinglyengages with the rod 252.

A profiled block 256 of a resilient foamed plastics material locates inthe profiled recess 232, with the flexible linkage 236 extending througha central hole therein. A frusto conical metal block 258 is locatedcentrally in a profiled recess in the foamed block 256 with the metalblock 258 pointing downwardly. Again a central hole is provided throughthe block 258 through which the flexible linkage 236 extends. A circularplate 260 with a through hole through which the flexible linkage 236extends is provided on top of the metal block 258. In use the bar 216 isscrewed onto a rod 252 pressing the plate 260 and hence metal block 258into the foam block 256.

There is thus described apparatus 210 which again provides theadvantages of the apparatus 10 and a number of other potentialadvantages. The mounting of the punch bag element 214 on the base 212provides for absorption of forces, whilst ensuring that the punch bag214 returns to a correct vertical alignment. The base arrangement witheight castors has been found in combination with the force absorptionarrangement outlined above, to mean that relatively little movement ofthe apparatus 210 generally occurs as a result of impact thereagainst.As indicated if required the handle arrangement can be removed from thebase, and this may be appropriate for example if a person is using theapparatus 210 without a trainer or other assistant.

Whilst the examples have largely been described in relation to boxing,it is to be realised that such apparatus could be used with a wide rangeof martial arts and combats sports, such as for instance karate,taekwondo or kick boxing etc.

A wide range of other modifications may be made without departing fromthe scope of the invention. For instance the base may take a differentform and may have different ground engaging members to the describedball castors. The punch bag element may have a different shape or form.A different handle arrangement could be used, and this could bedifferently mounted on the apparatus. If the punch bag element is adifferent shape then the handles may be correspondingly changed in size,shape or positioning, to correspond to the shape of the element.

If joints are provided mounting the punch bag element to the base, thesecould be differently configured, and/or different types of joints couldbe used. If a resilient member is provided between the base and thepunch bag element, this may be of a different shape and/or type to thedescribed example. Similarly a metal block or similar could be of adifferent shape.

It is also to be realised that any combination of the above features maybe provided in apparatus according to the present invention.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention tothose features of the invention believed to be of particular importanceit should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respectof any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbeforereferred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particularemphasis has been placed thereon.

1. A sports practice apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a groundengageable base which is freely movable across a ground; and a bodysupported on the ground engageable base, the body being able to receiveimpacts from a person practicing sport.
 2. The apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising one or more handles on the apparatus toenable movement thereof.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, whereinthe one or each more handles are provided on the body.
 4. (canceled) 5.The apparatus according to claim 2 4, wherein the one or more handlesextend substantially vertically in use. 6-7. (canceled)
 8. The apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein a handle arrangement is provided which ismounted on the base to be upstanding therefrom.
 9. The apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein the handle arrangement comprises anupright member extending from the base, with a handle part extendingfrom the upright member.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 9, whereinthe handle part is at least generally arcuate. 11-13. (canceled)
 14. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the body is substantiallycylindrical.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the body isin a form of a punch bag.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising a support arrangement that extends from the base andmounts the body.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein thesupport arrangement includes a selectively adjustable length to providethe body at required heights.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 16,wherein the support arrangement includes a first elongate memberextending upwardly from the base.
 19. (canceled)
 20. The apparatusaccording to claims 18, further comprising a second elongate member thatextends through a part of the body, and the first and second elongatemembers are telescopically interconnected to provide height adjustmentof the body.
 21. (canceled)
 22. The apparatus according to claim 18,wherein the first elongate member is resiliently mounted relative to thebase. 23-27. (canceled)
 28. The apparatus according to claim 18, furthercomprising an abutment arrangement that limit(s) relative movementbetween the first elongate member and the base. 29-31. (canceled) 32.The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the first elongate memberis connected to the base by a flexible linkage. 33-34. (canceled) 35.The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the flexible linkageincludes a universal joint.
 36. (canceled)
 37. The apparatus accordingto claim 1, further comprising a force absorbing arrangement between thebody and the base. 38-45. (canceled)
 46. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the base includes a plurality of ground engagingmembers which permit movement of the base in any direction.
 47. Theapparatus according to claim 46, wherein the plurality of groundengaging members are in form of ball castors. 48-52. (canceled)